Root-washer.



D. H. SEYMOUR.

ROOT WASHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23. 1913.

1 ,1 98,779. Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

D..H. SEYMOUR.

ROOT WASHER.

APPLICATION FlLED MAY 9:. 1913.

1 1 98,779 Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITE STES QFEIQE.

DAVIS HOWARD SEYMOUR, 0F PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA.

ROOT-WASHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, DAVIS H. SEYMOUR, a citizen of the United States.residing at Petersburg, in the county of Dinwiddie, State of Virginia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Root-VVashers; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in root washers, and particularlyto washers for beets, turnips, carrots, and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple device ofthis character which will efficiently wash the roots and automaticallydeliver the same from the-washing cylinder.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device of this character made inaccordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is an end view taken from thereceiving end, Fig. 3 is a view taken from the opposite end, Fig. 4 is avertical transverse sectional view, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 isa plan view, and Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on theline 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 represents aframe suitably supported by the front and rear legs 11 and 12 the formerof which are slightly longer than the latter so that the frame iselevated at one end. Secured to this frame is an elongated trough 13.Suitably journaled in bearings 14 at the ends of the frame is alongitudinally extending shaft 15, one end being provided with a crankhandle 16.

Extending radially from the shaft are the arms 17, to the outer ends ofwhich are secured the drum or cylinder 17 through which the said shaftpasses, and with which it rotates.

Secured to the inner face of the drum and extending longitudinallythereof are a plurality of slats 18. In the end wall at the lower end ofthe cylinder or drum is an inwardly opening hinged door 19, a suitablestop 20 being arranged within the drum to Specification of LettersPatent. Patgnted Sept 19, 1916 Application filed May 23, 1913.

Serial No. 769,468.

limit the inward movement thereof, so that the door when opened inwardlystands at an acute angle, with respect to the end of the cylinder. Itwill be observed that this door is so hinged to the end wall that it isarranged to close by gravity when the drum is rotated to bring the doorin its lowered position. By reason of this the water is prevented fromall running out of the drum. Furthermore, the door can open freely when1n raised position so that it acts as a defiector plate to guide theroots through the opening normally closed by the door.

At'the entrance end of the cylinder is arranged a suitable chute 21 onwhich are adapted to be dumped the beets or turnips which are to becleaned. At the discharge end is arranged a suitable chute 22 throughwhich the cleaned roots pass into a suitable receptacle. The tank isprovided with a drain cock 23.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen that roots can be thoroughlycleaned and discharged without any handling of them whatever, the devicebeing automatic, so that the roots eject themselves from the drum byengagement with the inclined door. The tank or trough is first partlyfilled with water, the water flowing into the open end of the cylinder.The door 19 is held in closed position during the washing operation byany suitable means. The roots to be washed are then fed to the cylinderby means of the chute 21, and the cylinder rotated. cylinder and therebywashed, gradually working their way to the lower end of the cylinder.After the roots are thoroughly washed, the door is set in open positionby any desired means, as by wedging a root or block of wood between thedoor and ends of the cylinder. When the roots strike the door 19, theyare deflected out into the chute 522, from which they are delivered toany suitable receptacle.

What is claimed is:

In a root washer, a rotating inclined drum having a closure at its lowerend provided with a door opening and a door hinged at one edge of theopening and opening inwardly, said door being arranged to close bygravity when in lowered position whereby to prevent escape of water fromthe The roots are thrown about in the' drum and to open freely when inraised po- In testimony whereof, I afiix my signasition, 2,1111 mleansto limit dthe openiniglmgveture, in the presence of tWo Witnesses. ment0 tie c oor arran e to cause t e 001' to set diagonally acrgss the drumwhen DAVIS HOWARD SEYMOUR opened whereby the opened door constitutesWVitnesses:

a deflector plate to guide the roots through A. K. POWELL,

the opening. C. MOD. POPE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C.

